All-New, All Hybrid
Toyota has added one other mannequin to its ever rising secure of electrified automobiles with the all-new 2023 Sequoia now completely hybrid powered. Fully redesigned, the Sequoia is out there in 5 trims—SR5, Restricted, Platinum, TRD Professional and Capstone. With a brand new powertrain, exterior and inside design, infotainment interface and elevated effectivity, the 2023 Sequoia will proceed to be a well-liked selection for these needing a full-size SUV.
Clear Fleet Report was invited to Toyota’s U.S. headquarters in Plano, Texas, the primary week of June to be among the many first to drive the all-new 2023 Sequoia. This Flash Drive evaluation will contact on the options of this very succesful SUV. We’ll do a full Highway Take a look at within the coming months, reviewing the Sequoia intimately, together with actual world gasoline financial system.
Energy and Effectivity
All 5 trims of the 2023 Toyota Sequoia include a 10-speed electronically managed computerized transmission with sequential shift, tow and haul driving modes, in addition to drive modes of Eco, Regular and Sport. The ability comes from the I-Power Max twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. Gasoline financial system numbers haven’t been introduced, however the identical gasoline-hybrid energy plant within the Toyota Tundra pickup will get 20 mpg metropolis/24 freeway/22 mixed.
Clean Performer
The I-Power Max engine was easy and highly effective with the moment torque from the electrical motor. Toyota’s parallel hybrid system mechanically switches between the electrical drive mode, mixed electrical motor and gasoline engine, and gasoline-only engine energy. At low speeds (underneath 18 miles per hour) the Sequoia hybrid can roll alongside in electric-only mode, however shortly provides the gasoline engine if you step on the accelerator, returning to EV mode if you carry off the pedal. You gained’t discover any of those transitions because the system is as easy as silk.
The 2023 Sequoia is easy-to-drive with its balanced trip coming from the totally boxed body that it shares with the Toyota Tundra, Land Cruiser and Lexus LX. Toyota says “the core goal of this platform is to supply wonderful dealing with, supreme consolation and spectacular functionality.” Relying on the Sequoia mannequin, wheels are both 18, 20 or 22 inches and are shod with all-season tires, besides the TRD fashions that get both Falken Wildpeak or Michelin LTX all-terrain tires.
Whether or not on the freeway, nation roads or in metropolis site visitors the electrical energy steering made turn-ins correct. The unbiased double-wishbone entrance (besides on the TRD Professional), and multi-link with coil springs rear suspension (gone are leaf springs) resulted in a managed trip and secure stops. For much more consolation you will get a load-leveling rear air suspension and an adaptive variable suspension.
The Sequoia Hybrid has a regenerative braking system that converts kinetic vitality into electrical vitality, and shops it within the 1.87 kilowatt-hour battery. That battery is useful throughout heavy acceleration or pulling a trailer up an extended grade, one thing a non-hybrid powerplant can’t supply.
Getting Soiled
Toyota gave us time on an off-road course with some up-and-down sections, a water function and an open dust monitor. We went off-roading within the Sequoia Restricted with 20-inch alloy wheels and 265/60 all-season tires. We had an pleasant expertise, however probably it will have been enhanced if we tackled the course within the TRD Professional or SR5 TRD Off-Highway fashions, which have extra aggressive all-terrain tires. Nevertheless it didn’t matter, with the 8.6-inches of floor clearance and the torque from the hybrid system, we simply attacked the ruts, rocks and dust. The Sequoia offered confidence that ought to fulfill most delicate off-road wants.
Pulling Energy
The turbocharged V6 hybrid system has a most tow score of 9,520 kilos. The Tow Know-how Bundle, which is customary on the Platinum, TRD Professional and Capstone, features a digital show rearview mirror and trailer backup information with Straight Path Help. Energy extending tow mirrors are non-obligatory. Clear Fleet Report had the chance to drive the Sequoia whereas pulling a 6,500-pound boat and trailer. As may be anticipated, the torque and towing functionality dealt with it with ease.
The Sequoia had sturdy acceleration, with 0-60 mph occasions of seven.7 seconds, which is spectacular for a full-size SUV weighing-in between 5,620 and 6,185 kilos (relying on the mannequin and whether it is 2WD or 4WD).
New Look: Exterior
The Sequoia nonetheless appears like a Sequoia, however there are noticeable variations from the outgoing mannequin. Developed at design facilities in Newport Seashore, CA, and Ann Arbor, MI, Toyota says the Sequoia wanted to “dwell as much as its highly effective and legendary namesake, (with a) head-turning new look, (and) luxurious consolation.”
Let’s begin with the grille, which by any description is giant and never delicate, however tells the world the Sequoia is to be taken significantly. Relying on the mannequin, the peak ranges from 74.2-inches to 77.7-inches; width, 79.6 inches; and size, 208.1-inches.
All trim ranges get LED head and fog lights. The rear, with “S-E-Q-U-O-I-A” spelled out in giant letters within the energy tailgate, has LED taillights on all trims with the highest trims getting sequential flip alerts.
The colour palette consists of White, Wind Chill Pearl, Magnetic Grey Metallic, Celestial Silver Metallic, Midnight Black Metallic, Supersonic Pink, Smoked Mesquite, Military Inexperienced, Lunar Rock, Blueprint and Photo voltaic Octane.
New Look: Inside
The redesigned inside has a easy and well-laid-out sprint with the dominant function a 14-inch touchscreen in higher trim ranges. An 8-inch touchscreen is customary, however choosing the bigger display screen will make your seat time extra pleasant. Whereas the pinch, scroll and contact options labored properly with little lag, Toyota encourages you to develop an in depth relationship together with your Sequoia. Whenever you wish to do one thing, merely say “Hey, Howdy, Hello or Okay, Toyota!” These instructions begin the method of discovering new locations within the navigation, looking for a music by means of Apple Music, or performing features contained in the cabin.
Every of the 5 trim ranges has a distinct look to the inside, from the bottom SR5 to the premium Capstone. The SR5 will get material seats with SofTex artificial leather-based as an possibility; the Restricted and TRD Professional get SofTex customary; the Platinum will get leather-trimmed; and the Capstone will get semi-aniline leather-based trimmed seats.
All trim ranges have energy adjustable and heated seats, with some trim ranges getting air flow. The rear seats are additionally heated within the increased trim ranges. With so many choices and packages to make the Sequoia inside the way you need it, take the time to do your analysis on-line on the supplier.
There are three audio choices of Audio, Audio Plus and Premium Audio, the latter is the JBL system with 14 audio system, together with a subwoofer and amplifier. This produced wonderful sound for the FM/HDAM and SiriusXM that’s included for 90 days. The system was simple to make use of, however having a channel knob to accompany the quantity knob would have made it extra handy. The system has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Wi-Fi Join with a one-month trial interval that features as much as 3 GB. There are USB ports entrance and rear and 12-Volt energy shops.
The cockpit design is driver-friendly with all gauges, together with the hybrid administration system, in simple sight and the controls in simple attain. The cabin methods embody a 10-inch head-up show, a 12.3-inch digital gauge info display screen, panoramic view and multi-terrain screens, backup digicam with projected path, three-zone computerized local weather management, a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel that accommodates audio phone and voice controls, wi-fi smartphone charging and a digital rearview mirror with HomeLink.
Security
The 2023 Sequoia is well-equipped with the trio of Superior Driver Help Programs (ADAS) of the Star Security System, Toyota Security Sense and Security Join. Energetic and passive security options embody eight air baggage, car stability and traction management and brake help. The superior driver pre-collision know-how consists of lane departure alert, dynamic radar cruise management and pedestrian detection. Further security options embody distant keyless entry, push button begin/cease and a tire stress monitoring system.
Because it’s a brand new mannequin, the 2023 Sequoia has not but been security rated by the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS).
Pricing, Availability and Warranties
Full pricing for the 2023 Toyota Sequoia has not been launched, however the beginning MSRP is $58,300. The all-new Tundra needs to be in sellers by late summer time 2022.
The 2023 Sequoia comes with these warranties:
- Battery – 10 years/150,000 miles
- Hybrid Elements – Eight years/100,000 miles
- Powertrain – 5 years/60,000 miles
- Complete – Three years/36,000 miles
- Upkeep Plan – Two years/25,000 miles
- Corrosion Perforation – Two years/Limitless miles
- Roadside Help – Two years/25,000 miles
Observations: 2023 Toyota Sequoia
Inbuilt San Antonio, Texas, on the identical meeting plant because the all-new 2022 Tundra pickup, Toyota can be getting the third-generation Sequoia to sellers in late summer time 2022.
The Toyota Sequoia competes in opposition to the Ford Expedition, Chevrolet Suburban/Tahoe and the Nissan Armada, however is the one hybrid, will attraction to these on the lookout for a extra environment friendly, snug full-size SUV for household journeys or simply operating round city.
The snug trip and environment friendly hybrid powertrain will match proper in with households which have locations to go. The Sequoia will deal with journeys to the waterpark or college, however can even go (delicate) off-roading and tow a ship or camp trailer.
Toyota is thought for its reliability and construct high quality. Homeowners can anticipate the 2023 Sequoia to be part of their household for a few years. Revolutionary know-how and security methods will make spending time within the Sequoia a nice expertise.
Be sure that to opt-in to the Clear Fleet Report e-newsletter (prime proper of web page) to be notified of all new tales and car evaluations.
Story by John Faulkner. Photographs by John Faulkner and Toyota.
